Goodbye, Orchid (Goodbye Orchid #1)

CHAPTER 4 IN THE COLD, COLD NIGHT

IN THE COLD, COLD NIGHT

Phoenix

Phoenix floated downstairs two or three at a time. His movements were effortless, effervescent. His body seemed suspended, capable of fluidity that defied gravity. He sank slowly, a burning at the edges disturbing his cool darkness.

Quiet. Silence. Once, his mom took them to vacation at a Relais-du-Silence chateau. He resisted that amount of solitude and stillness. Now, it beckoned to him. He answered its call. Yes. Now. Okay.

“Phoenix?” came the whisper. A tug on his consciousness. No, not yet. Stay silent. He vaguely recalled some epic struggle. A struggle with gargantuan proportions, like a sweeping Hollywood production. Now, an eerie hush followed the struggle. Blackness beckoned.